Lee clark hopes to return to action in time to get into the stride of Fulham's FA Cup run.

Lee clark hopes to return to action in time to get into the stride of Fulham's FA Cup run.

Clark has been sidelined since Boxing Day with an Achilles problem but hopes to be back in time for the Londoners' March quarter-final with West Brom.

Fulham, who face Middlesbrough tonight at the Riverside Stadium, have managed to edge into the last eight without him.

But the &#xA3;3 million former Newcastle midfielder is keen to ensure a first FA Cup final appearance in 27 years for the Craven Cottage club.

Clark said: "I am not saying it will take me three weeks to get back, I will be disappointed if it is not sooner than that.

"I have not joined in training with the rest of the team yet but I have started running again and there has been no reaction.

"I am taking it easy because the injury kept me out for three weeks earlier in the season and it has plagued me a bit.

"It has been really frustrating and I was on a bit of a downer but I was told to have complete rest and the last few days have been more positive.

"I cannot wait to get back and it would be nice to be involved in the FA Cup because I have not played in it this season and the team are doing well."

Lifting the FA Cup would, of course, deliver a European place next season.

Fulham eased to the Division One title last year and are currently in a healthy mid-table position after two-thirds of the campaign. It would be a tall order to secure a UEFA berth - a place goes only to the team who finish fifth, although sixth would be enough if one of the teams in the top five at the end of the season also lifted the FA Cup.

Meanwhile, the match at the Riverside comes too early for Portugal forward Luis Boa Morte, who has remained in the capital due to his ankle injury.

Middlesbrough defender Gareth Southgate is determined not to let lightning strike twice as his club battle for Premiership safety. The 31-year-old England international goes into tonight's clash with Fulham intent on collecting the points needed to book Boro's place in next season's top flight.

Boro have not lost any of the seven games they have played since they went down 2-1 at Craven Cottage in January.

"I guess you're looking at something around 42 points to ensure you're safe," Southgate said. "If we can get a positive result tonight, that really would lift us."

Boro boss Steve McClaren will be missing striker Hamilton Ricard and Phil Stamp through injury, and defender Gianluca Festa through suspension. However, loan signing Benito Carbone is available and Alen Boksic could start his first game since Boxing Day.